Team USA will be represented by two athletes at the opening stage, with Jason Tabansky competing in W1 men and Karen Sternfeld in recurve open women. Both arrive in Bangkok with strong recent results and carefully built preparation behind them, setting the stage for an early-season test against international competition.

Tabansky’s rise to world number one in the W1 division has been underpinned by a run of standout performances. He captured gold at the Paralympic Games in 2024, followed by a silver medal at the 2025 World Archery Para Championships, and added two more golds on the Americas circuit in Morelia and Chicago. That consistency at the highest level has shaped both his confidence and his approach heading into 2026.

His preparation for Bangkok has been deliberate, using Texas heat to mirror the conditions he expects to face in Thailand. “I’m feeling really good. Thailand is going to be extremely hot but I live in Texas and have been taking advantage of our summer-like weather to train my body for this event.” With that physical groundwork in place, his focus turns to execution, aiming to “do my absolute best! Shoot the way I know I can and leave it all on the field, minimizing any mistakes.”

Beyond results, this event carries added meaning as Tabansky has been heavily involved in bringing the series to life. “I’m so excited about this. Being part of the World Archery Americas para committee, we teamed up with the rest of the NGBs to push and ask for this. It’s a huge step towards equality and parity with our able body counterparts.”

His ambitions for the season extend well beyond a single event. Tabansky is targeting a sustained run at the top of the W1 world rankings over multiple years - an achievement that would place him alongside his 2024 Paralympic teammate in recent history.

“I have goals that I want to accomplish with this," he commented. "I would love to go on a two year run and beyond that. It hasn’t been done since Matt Stutzman did it back during the Tokyo cycle. It would be an indescribable honor to be up next to him.”

Sternfeld also enters the season with momentum of her own. She was part of the mixed team gold medal performance in Morelia and followed that with an individual silver medal in her home city of Chicago, signaling continued progression on the international stage.

Her preparation has been rooted in consistency. Months spent in Asia have allowed for uninterrupted outdoor training, combined with regular coaching and technical refinement.

She explained, “I’m feeling strong heading into this event. I’ve spent the last six months in southern India, where I’ve been able to consistently train at 70 meters. I’ve also had weekly sessions with my coach, reviewing video and making small technical adjustments to refine my shot.” That consistency, she notes, “has been invaluable, and it makes competing at outdoor distances feel very natural.

“I’m really looking forward to this competition. I competed in Bangkok last year, where there were only a few non-Asian archers in the field, and it was a great experience. This season, I’m aiming to build on the progress I made last year and see how far I can push my scores.”

She also views the introduction of the series as a meaningful step forward for the sport. “I’m excited about the introduction of the World Archery Para Series and hope it continues to grow into a well-attended and widely recognized circuit. As this is the first year, there will likely be some learning along the way, but it’s a very positive step forward for para archery.”

As the first arrows are released in Bangkok, Stage 1 represents more than just the start of the season. It signals the beginning of a new era for para archery - one defined by greater structure, increased opportunity, and growing global depth. For the USA’s two representatives, it is an opportunity not only to compete, but to help shape what comes next.

Scores and results from Bangkok can be found here, with qualification starting in the early hours of Tuesday morning, U.S. time.